Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings Draft Prospectus: Could Marco Kasper Be Detroit’s Pick at No. 8?

Rogle BK center Marco Kasper of Austria could be the player the Detroit Red Wings end up selecting 8th overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2022

Bob Duff

Might the Red Wings opt for Rogle center Marco Kasper at 8th overall in the NHL entry draft?

The first round of the NHL entry draft is to take place on Thursday, July 7 in Montreal. At 8th overall, the Detroit Red Wings will be making their first-round selection. Based on talking to scouts, GMs and other hockey people, as well as studying the mock drafts of top NHL draft experts, Detroit Hockey Now is looking at players who could potentially be Detroit’s selection. Today, we look at Rogle BK center Marco Kasper.

Detroit Red Wings fans figure to have a new favorite Swedish team during the 2022-23 SHL season. With two Detroit draft picks – defenseman William Wallinder and forward Theodor Niederbach – in the lineup, Rogle BK’s games will be of utmost importance in developing Detroit’s future.

It could get even more exciting to watch Rogle play next season should the Red Wings be selecting Marco Kasper with the eighth overall pick of the draft.

Detroit was among 30 NHL teams that interviewed Kasper during last month’s NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo.

“At first I was a little nervous,” Kasper was admitting to Rogle’s website. “But it was fun to sit in there with a general manager like (Detroit’s) Steve Yzerman.

“You talk about everything – about your background, your family and of course about yourself as a player. They ask if you can give a scouting report about yourself and then tell them what you think and give some feedback.”

Marco Kasper with a great play to set up Rögle's 3-2 goal #2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/HPkhjv6acQ

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 20, 2022

The scouting report on Kasper is that he is a player of high hockey IQ. That’s a trait Yzerman tends to admire. Along with hockey intelligence, Kasper is also a determined competitor who shows up ready to work and learn every day and is blessed with natural leadership skills. His skating, athleticism and all-around offensive skillset draw high praise.

Why Might The Red Wings Select Kasper?

He already has NHL size and Kasper is capable of playing center or wing. As well, he’s a leader. He’ll be captaining Austria’s team at next month’s IIHF World Junior Championship.

Kasper is already playing with men in Sweden and skated with Austria in the 2022 senior world tourney. His seven goals last season were the most scored in the SHL by a player 18 or younger.

Great movement by Albert Johansson in the o-zone, but he's defended well by Marco Kasper #LGRW #2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/XSRyt4DcqQ

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 20, 2022

“I think he’s interesting for a lot of teams,” Red Wings VP of hockey operations Nicklas Lidstrom said of Kasper during the SHL playoffs. “He’s strong on his skates, fearless, finishes hits. He competes every shift. It’s impressive to see a young player work that hard.”

By playing against pros on a regular basis, it could shorten his NHL adjustment period. This would be similar to the manner in which Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond fit seamlessly into the NHL last season.

Why Won’t The Red Wings Select Kasper?

There’s a number of hockey people who are of the opinion that picking Kasper at No. 8 might be too much of a reach. He’s probably more likely to slot into the 10-20 pick range.

His shot is probably the weakest part of his game and that leads to concerns about whether Kasper will be able to score on a regular basis at the NHL level.